Centerstage - Chicago's Original City Guide

Presented by Ovations! Concert Celebrations of Great American Musicals
At the Auditorium Theatre
Tickets: (312) 902-1500 or www.ticketmaster.com
Through April 9

The Ovations! series, whose first production was Strike Up The Band earlier this year, continues its concert presentations of little known musicals with Kurt Weill's One Touch of Venus. Modeled after the Encores! Series at New York's City Center, Ovations! really knows how to present musicals in their best light. It's amazing how much you can do with no set and an onstage orchestra.

One Touch of Venus is the story of Rodney Hatch (James Moye), a barber who puts a ring on the finger of a statue of Venus (Tony-nominee Liz Callaway), which brings her alive. The statue was purchased by Whitelaw Savory (Roger Mueller), a gallery owner longing to relive the passion he felt for a woman in his past who looks remarkably like the statue. When Venus disappears wiith Rodney, Savory hires private detective Taxi Black (Jeff Dumas), who along with his henchman Stanley (Ray Frewen) attempt to get the statue back by any means necessary. Along comes Rodney's spoiled fiancee Gloria Kramer (Lori Holton Nash) and her overbearing mother (Sharon Carlson). All of this is narrated by WGN's Roy Leonard.

One of the wonderful things about the Ovations! format really puts the spotlight on the music. The genius of Kurt Weill is evident in this presentation. His music is both beautiful and brilliantly witty. Directing in this format is not an enviable task for any director, but Gary Griffin does a wonderful job with the show given the constraints. He concentrates on keeping things simple, and is able to tell the story. The orchestra, wonderfully conducted by Paul Raiman, provides a perfect background for the show, beautifully playing the original Broadway orchestrations.

Liz Callaway, as Venus, is luminous. Every time she opens her mouth, either to sing or to speak her very funny dialogue, she captivates. She is a great talent. James Moye's Rodney Hatch is wonderful, and his song "How Much I Love You" is the comic highlight of the evening. E. Faye Butler, as Savory's secretary Molly, gives a very gutsy comic performance. The ensemble, made up of some of the finest theatrical voices in Chicago. The sound of the show is full and powerful.

One Touch of Venus only plays through Sunday, so please catch it.